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~pt. 2~DONKEY TRACKS" ~~
from: The White Donkey Society
November 3, 2004
~TRAILS OF LIVING~
Shaped by the Vine
-- By Josh Akers
I have in my possession two very interesting walking
sticks...
One is a limb from a maple tree, the other is a limb from
an oak tree. The thing that makes each of these sticks so
unique is that they have a spiral shape to them. Maple
trees and oak trees don't typically grow this way.
However, these limbs got wrapped up in some
honeysuckle vines. As the trees grew, the bark and the
wood were shaped by the vines that were wrapped in a
neat spiral around them. The result was that the limbs took
on a spiral shape themselves.
Thought: Have you ever considered that we are shaped
by the things we surround ourselves with? If we surround
ourselves with the things of the world, we'll grow to be
more and more like the world (1 John 2:15). On the other
hand, if we surround ourselves with Jesus Christ, we will
become more and more like Him. -- By Josh Akers
~TRAILS of LIFE~
Remember Me?
I am the One who created the heavens and the earth.
I am He who placed every star in the sky.
I am the Creator who filled every river and stream.
I am the great "I Am" who taught the birds how to fly.
Remember Me?
I am the Life that makes you eternal.
I am the Love that makes you my child. I am the Strength that gets you through the day. I am the Peace that keeps you in spite of every trial.
Remember Me?
I am the Reason why you sing.
I am the Light that brightens your day.
I am the Purpose behind your praise.
I am the Hand that guides your way.
Remember Me?
I am the Breath that gives you life.
I am the Laughter when your children play.
I am the Beauty that is revealed in you.
I am the Cause that makes you pray.
Remember Me?
I am the Smile that brightens your face.
I am the Twinkle in your eye.
I am the Dimple in your cheek.
I am the Tears when you cry.
Remember Me?
I am the Savior who called you by name.
I am the Forgiver who saved your life.
I am the "Author and Finisher of your faith."
I am the Comfort in every strife.
Remember Me?
I am Mercy that is shown to you every morn.
I am Truth that makes the devil a liar.
I am Joy that is deep down inside.
I am Hope that sets your spirit on fire.
Remember Me?
Remember Me?
I am the Lord, your God,
who will never leave you
nor forsake you.
Remember Me?
-- By Sandra P. Johnson � 2001
~TRAILS of SCRIPTURE~
"But he [God] said to me [Paul], 'My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:9, niv).
Growing Strong in the Broken Places
--Do you ever feel that God can't use you because you aren't
qualified? If so, you're in good company. Many of us feel
the same way. In fact, there were very few men or women in
the Bible who were used of God who didn't have a personal
struggle or challenge of one kind or another. Moses and
Mary weren't the only ones who didn't feel qualified for
the work God was calling them to do!
--An unknown author has pointed out that "Moses stuttered.
John Mark was rejected by Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea's
wife was a prostitute. Amos' only training was in the school
of fig-tree pruning. Jacob lied. David had an affair.
Solomon had too many wives and concubines. Jesus was too
poor and wasn't schooled in the right religious
institutions. Abraham and Sarah were too old. David was too
young. Peter was impulsive. John had a temper. Naomi was a
widow. Paul was a murderer, as was Moses. Jonah ran from
God. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was
depressed. Elijah was burned out. Martha worried too much.
Matthew was a despised tax-gatherer. Noah had a drinking
problem."
--I believe it was Ernest Hemingway who first used the
phrase, "Growing strong in the broken places." The idea
behind these words is that where a bone is broken and
heals, it becomes the strongest part of the bone. The same
is true of our broken places--where we have been hurt, have
fallen, or failed. When we bring these to Christ for
healing, his strength is then made perfect in and through
our weaknesses. This is certainly true in ministering to
other people. Our friends are not helped so much by our
brilliant logic or persuasive speech as they are through
honest sharing of our own struggles and how, with God's
help, we have overcome. As one speaker put it, sharing our
faith in Christ is just a case of one beggar showing
another beggar where to find bread!
-- God, of course, doesn't want us to stay stuck in our sins
and problems. While He uses us as we are, he also loves us
too much to leave us as we are. But never think that you
have too little talent or too many hurts or problems for
God to use you. The key issue is to be available. Everyone
that God has ever used has had their weaknesses, sins, and
failings. But they were available, and they have been
remembered for what God did through their lives. God will
do the same for you and me as we make ourselves available
for him to use every day. -- By Richard
~TRAILS of PRAYER~
Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day you have given us. But we thank you for the heart that is receiving your Word for the day. Lord, we ask that you mend the broken one. We ask that you supply new love and remove all hurt and pain that this heart has received. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus, that you touch this dear heart, and lift up their spirits. May you shine your face upon them, and show them that your love is greater than anything that we can imagine. Thank you for your tender mercies that are new every morning. Thank you for your faithfulness and forgiveness. Lord, be with us at this time and be with our nation. May you heal our land and begin with me. In Jesus' name, we pray these things. -- Amen
~TRAILS of a RIDER of GRACE~
Praise God for the re-election of President Bush. We pray that you wilI bless him with your Wisdom and Knowledge in leadcing this nation. Please pray for him. I hope that you received a blessing from today's Donkey Tracks. Please tell your friends about it so we can spread the Word of our Lord. Please contibue your prayers for me. God bless you all, and Thank you again. http://www.youens.com/mccoy/
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